Life at home

Well, I've had a few months off now. I have been working at household projects, creative dinners, dog exercising and networking. I am not a huge "get out there and talk to people" kind of person, so networking is not one of my strengths. However, I did get the ball rolling the best way I know how... by sending letters. I made a list of people who could be networking contacts and asked them to simply remember that I am looking and if they know anyone at any of my target employers, to let me know. I am certainly willing to be a network contact for them as well (this goes both ways, y'know!).

The first bunch of letters went out and I got a response from a dear former co-worker who informed me that there was a typo in my letter (so much for me being a competent writer!). I could just scream. At least most of my letters are not out yet - I made the edit and will send more letters later. Lesson - ask for more eyes to review my pieces before they go out!

The more I look at job postings on the web, the more I find myself not wanting to go back to a corporate job. Maybe my mid-life crisis is impacting my search, but I really want to work somewhere where what I do will matter somewhat. Healthcare, human rights, charities, whatever... I just don't want to merely serve stockholders. I want to serve stakeholders - in areas beyond just worrying about the Bottom Line.

I have offered my services as a volunteer at my Zen center and checked with nearby humane societies for volunteer opportunities (they did not have any!). I just need to get myself out more, which is hard when it's dreary and cold (lame excuses, I know!). I will find something - probably when I least expect it.